Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad 🥓🌿
Creamy, smoky, and packed with flavor, this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for BBQs, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners. Cold pasta tossed with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade ranch dressing—it’s irresistible!
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 25 mins (+ chilling)
Servings: 8
Ingredients
For the Salad:
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12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta (or any short pasta)
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8 slices bacon, cooked crispy & crumbled
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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½ cup red onion, finely diced
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1 bell pepper (any color), diced
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½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
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¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Ranch Dressing:
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¾ cup mayonnaise
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½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
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1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix (or homemade blend*)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp dried dill
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2 tbsp milk (adjust for thickness)
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Salt & pepper to taste
*Homemade Ranch Seasoning: 1 tsp each dried parsley, chives, dill + ½ tsp garlic/onion powder + ¼ tsp salt/pepper.*
Instructions
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Cook pasta al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.
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Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
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Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss well.
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Chill 1+ hours (best flavor!) or serve immediately.
🍴 Pro Tips
✔ Extra crunch? Add diced celery or cucumber.
✔ Make ahead: Stores well for 3 days (add bacon last minute to keep crispy).
✔ Lighten it up: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Creamy, smoky, and fresh—perfect balance!
✅ Always a hit at parties and picnics.
✅ Easy to customize—add grilled chicken, avocado, or jalapeños!
Warning: Disappears fast—double the batch! 😉
Thoughts? What’s your favorite add-in for pasta salad? 👇
